However, McGrath took time out from gearing up to promote the McGrath Foundation's annual Pink Test on day three of the game to support his former teammate and emphasise the importance of the all-rounder.

"I've always had faith in Shane, I think he's a quality player, he's a quality all-rounder and I think with Mitchell Marsh being injured he's an even bigger player," McGrath said.

"It would be nice to see him go out and get a hundred here and a few wickets so that's my prediction for this Test match."

Watson admitted he felt as though he was under pressure, but not because of the stories being written or the opinion offered about his place in the national team , which is preparing for the World Cup, the tour of the West Indies and the Ashes campaign in England.

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"I feel I'm under pressure when I'm not scoring runs at any stage," Watson said on Saturday. "If I'm not performing, of course I'm under pressure.

"The thing I think about the most is to just be able to contribute to the team, not whether I'm playing or not. It's more so just being able to contribute to the team and feel like I'm not a passenger. I do really want to be there to be able to contribute with bat and ball, that's what I think about the most."

Another old teammate and legend, Shane Warne, recently suggested Watson's problems could be found in his head; he's uptight, too intense and an unnecessarily tough judge of his own game. It was a view Watson did not dispute.

"Growing up, all I wanted to do was be the best cricketer I possibly could be," he said. "There are positives and negatives in that.

"The positives are that it always drives me to want to continue to get better. But on the flipside it means I can put too much pressure on myself when I go out there. I'm always trying to find that perfect balance."

McGrath also praised rookie Test player Josh Hazlewood, who has been compared to him, for his positive impact on the series.

'If I’m not performing, of course I’m
under pressure.’

"He's got a big career in front of him," he said. "He's tall, he's strong, he hits good areas, he builds pressure, he's got good control and gets the ball through at good pace. He's got everything he needs to be to be a quality player for a long time."